The Princess Diarist in Around the World in 80 Books

Feb 29, 2020 Jim rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir, non-fiction, film

I don't know what the writer was trying to achieve here. The book jumps all over the place. There isn't enough early history for it to be a biography, and insufficient detail about the movie to be a proper memoir. There are poems, but it's not a poetry book. There are some beddings involved but nothing that can be termed as titillating or, honestly, very interesting.

Fisher starts the book by detailing the circumstances leading up to her getting the leading lady role in the first (or fourth, depe I don't know what the writer was trying to achieve here. The book jumps all over the place. There isn't enough early history for it to be a biography, and insufficient detail about the movie to be a proper memoir. There are poems, but it's not a poetry book. There are some beddings involved but nothing that can be termed as titillating or, honestly, very interesting.

Fisher starts the book by detailing the circumstances leading up to her getting the leading lady role in the first (or fourth, depending how you look at it) "Star Wars" movie. At the time this was considered an oddball low-budget sci-fi movie. She has a bit of a crush on her brooding, considerably older, married co-star, Harrison Ford. She is very careful to put proper emphasis on the fact that she was naïve and innocent, practically a virgin, on the night some other people associated with the film went to great trouble and expense to get her loaded. When she was sufficiently lubricated Ford swooped in and taxied her away, thereby starting an affair that lasted throughout the filming. Naturally, she doesn't recall specific details of the sexual antics and this narrative part of the book trails off here. Up to this point she could have accomplished her goal with less grief if she had just put up an "I SCREWED HARRISON FORD" billboard, or at least that's my take on it.

What follows is a section containing poetry and diary entries. I got a sense that Fisher felt neglected and abandoned by Ford, like she had been a plaything for the duration of the film. Honestly, the poems are pretty good and you can see that she has potential as a writer. This was my favourite part of the book by far.

In her conclusive pages Fisher exudes regret. Not knowing how big the franchise would get, she never secured a piece of the merchandising action nor did she get a percentage of profits. There were other films, and a couple of books, but the income didn't match the outgo and she finally resorted to public appearances, signing autographs and posing for photos with fans, something she calls lap-dancing, basically whoring herself for money. It doesn't make her sound nice, but it does sound honest.

I didn't hate the book, but I feel that I was baited with Harrison Ford and ended up with a stringer full of regrets. Makes for good poetry, though. ...more

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Jan 14, 2017 Julie rated it really liked it

I didn't want this one to end, for obvious reasons. Im thankful I listened on audio, it meant even more to hear it in her voice. While this was not my favorite book of hers, likely because I have less of a connection with Star Wars than most of my peers, it was honest, funny, and I related to her in so many ways. A true talent, icon, and American treasure--the world seems a bit dimmer without her in it. #carrieon ...more

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Jul 07, 2017 Ryan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed, audiobooks, 2017

I wish I could listen to Carrie Fisher tell stories all day every day.

I wish I could write one-eighth as well as Carrie Fisher.

I wish Carrie Fisher was still here.

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Jan 13, 2017 Sarah rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio, nonfiction

It is, as so many other reviewers have said, so odd reading/listening to this so soon after Carrie Fisher's death. She makes several references to "after I'm gone" or "for the rest of my life" or "in my obituary." It also seems a little unfair to rate the book so soon after her death, because I'm much more inclined to be generous with my stars than I possibly would be were she still living.

My favorite part of this book was the actual diary entry section. 19-year-old Carrie was already quite a r ...more

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Dec 30, 2016 Jillian rated it it was amazing

I actually started this book the morning Carrie Fischer died on my ride to work, and actually found out that she had passed WHILE LISTENING TO HER VOICE on audiobook. It was kind of surreal. In my mind Carrie Fischer can do no wrong. Fischer is hilarious, strong, and to me represents true feminism as it is meant to be expressed. I know so many of us will miss her so much.

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